fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
OK so I just want to talk to you all about anxiety and my battle with anxiety. Anxiety is a topic that is very evident in a lot of peoples life. One of the things that those who struggle with anxiety tend to do is we hide it. And what I want you too know is you shouldn’t hide it, because it is a struggle that beats down without God and community. So please don’t hide like I do so often.
First things first as someone who struggles with anxiety don’t let anybody tell you that it isn’t serious or that you just need to get over it because it is serious. Instead help those who don’t understand it to understand it more clearly. Second, you and I cant do this alone. We need God and others too help us through times of anxiety. God is our one comfort and He loves you and I more than anything in the world, and if you cant go to Him in times of anxiety then your life is going to be a mess. How do I know this? I did this exact same thing, I hid and thought I could handle this thing called anxiety by myself. Oh boy was I ever wrong. All it did was put me in a pit of despair, and show me how much I needed God and others.
I continue to struggle with anxiety still and it is hard because it arises everyday and it becomes a distraction. I’m 18 and don’t have a license and that is hard. I hurt every time someone gives me crud or mocks me because I don’t have a license. I hurt because I just wish they understood how I felt every time I get in a car and start driving. Lots of these people are close friends and I am not angry at them or hurt because them but I want you all to know that anxiety is hard and what helps those with anxiety isn’t the obvious statements or joking\giving them crap about whatever it is they are struggling with, but it is being there for them always and encouraging them. Like I said I’m not pointing my friends out because they do encourage me and are always there for me.
Do you ever feel like you are going to pass out, faint, or maybe puke? I do all the time and you are not alone. I used to let this feeling bother me, but now I embrace it knowing that God is my comfort and I have nothing to worry about. So please look to Christ and community in times of anxiety. Also check out my first video, below, it will touch up on other things about anxiety and some of the same things.